Cautious welcome to 2003/04 grant settlement – Metropolitan Police Authority

125/02
6 December 2002

The Metropolitan Police Authority today welcomed the announcement of government grant funding for 2003/04.

Toby Harris, Chair of the MPA, said:

“While a number of issues have yet to be resolved, the overall conclusion is that next year’s budget should be balanced, without a need to identify further savings.

“We still need to work through the fine print and are awaiting further information from the Home Office, but this settlement looks like good news for London. Taken together with the Mayor’s current proposed budget this will allow a significant increase in police resources in the capital.

“However, the Authority cannot sit back on its laurels. In order for us to introduce new, more effective policing initiatives that will create a safer environment for Londoners, we will have to continue to pursue efficiency savings within the Met.”

Final conclusions cannot be drawn before the Mayor has consulted on his budget proposals, but as they stand they would provide for an increase of a further 1,200 police officers next year and the transfer of 450-500 officers from control room duties to front line policing.

The grant funding will enable the Metropolitan Police to sustain the recent enhancement to its counter-terrorism capability and will also support the continued deployment of 500 police community support officers being recruited this year with the opportunity to secure funding for further recruitment next year.

The budget position will be reviewed at the next meeting of the Full Authority on 10 December (10:00).

Notes to editors

1. Identified efficiency savings for 2003/04 stand at £25.9 million, which left a funding gap of £9.6 million.

The Metropolitan Police Authority took over the responsibility for the Metropolitan Police Service on 3 July 2000. Its duties include securing an effective and efficient police service for the Metropolitan Police District and securing Best Value - ensuring continuous improvement of London's policing services; consulting the people of London to find out their views about policing in the capital and taking account of these views when setting objectives.

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